Chapter 244 There Is Always a Price
Genesis POV
“Rot in hell, Keenan,” I said into the phone, smiling so wide it hurt my cheeks.
I pulled the phone from my ear, glanced at the screen, the caller ID still glowing with the burner number and ended the call with a soft tap.
Then I exhaled, long and deep, like I’d been holding my breath for years.
“Someone’s a badass.”
The croaky, rough voice came from the left side of the room.
I spun around so fast I almost dropped the phone.
Kieran.
He was awake.
He tried to sit up, but winced and hissed through his teeth, then gave up and settled back with a low grunt.
I tossed the phone onto the side table and rushed to him, hands gentle on his shoulders.
“Hey, hey, slow down,” I whispered, easing him back. “Don’t move too much.”
He caught my wrist with his good hand—weak, but firm—and pulled me closer until I was perched on the edge of the bed.
“How long have you been awake?” I asked. He must have heard my conversation with Keenan, and I didn’t know how he’d feel about that.
“Long enough to hear my wife handle business like a true queen,” he rasped, voice gravelly from the tube they’d pulled out days ago. “That was… sexy as hell.”
I laughed softly, shaky, tears pricking my eyes again.
“Really? You’re not upset?” I asked, brushing my thumb over his cheek, careful of the stubble and faint bruising.
“Hell no, Princes. You probably just made Keenan shit himself.” His lips curved, slow, crooked, proud. “My princess learned how to bite.”
I leaned in and kissed him—deep, desperate—pouring everything I’d been holding back into it. He kissed me like he was starving, his good hand sliding to the back of my neck, keeping me there even though it clearly hurt to move.
When we broke apart, I rested my forehead against his, breathing him in—antiseptic, sweat, him.
“I miss you,” I whispered, my voice cracking.
My hand wandered without permission, sliding over his good shoulder, down his chest. My fingers traced the bandage like I needed proof he was real—solid, alive.
Kieran’s eyes darkened instantly.
He noticed.
Of course he did.
The way my thighs pressed together. The hitch in my breath when my palm flattened over his heart. The way I couldn’t stop touching him, like I needed to map every inch to make sure he hadn’t slipped away while I wasn’t looking.
He let out a low, rough chuckle that turned into a wince.
“Princess,” he murmured, voice thick, “you keep touching me like that and I’m gonna forget I’ve got a hole in my chest.”
I bit my lip, cheeks heating. “Sorry.”
“Don’t be.” His thumb brushed my lower lip. “I’ve missed you too. More than you know.”
I smiled—small, shy, horny as hell—and shifted closer, careful of the wires.
He watched me for a second, then asked, his voice still raspy but steady,
“When am I coming home?”
I blinked. “Um… huh?”
“You heard me, princess.”
I laughed nervously. “The doctor hasn’t cleared you yet. You were shot near the heart, Kieran. You flatlined. Twice.”
“I can still be home while getting treated.”
“No. No, no, no.”
One brow lifted, amused. “Damn. So many no’s, wifey.”
I sighed, running my fingers through his hair. “We already turned part of the east wing into a medical suite for Donald. Another for Michelle. Another for Rose. I don’t want to turn another one into a recovery room for you.”
He studied me—quiet, serious now.
“I’d be safer there than here,” he said softly.
I shook my head. “With everything that’s happened lately? No. I think this hospital is better. At least for now.”
His eyes narrowed. “What happened?”
I hesitated.
He caught it immediately.
“Genesis.”
I exhaled, long and shaky.
“Mark and Jimmy… they came to the estate. Two nights ago.”
Kieran went still.
“Jimmy shot your dad in the leg. Took Daisy hostage. Used her as a shield to try to get out.”
His jaw clenched so hard I heard his teeth grind.
“Mark…” My voice cracked. “He was outside. He saw Zarina arrive. Grabbed her. Begged her to love him. She told him no, and he snapped, I guess.”
I swallowed hard.
“He shot himself.”
Kieran closed his eyes for a moment, breathing slow and controlled through his nose.
“The sight of Mark’s body crushed Jimmy,” I added quietly. “He let Daisy go and cried like I’ve never heard anyone cry.”
Kieran opened his eyes again—dark, stormy, dangerous.
“Zarina shot him in the leg when he raised the gun at me. The police took him. He’s in custody now.”
Silence.
Kieran stared at the ceiling for a long moment.
Then he looked back at me, his eyes soft—but burning underneath.
“You okay?” he rasped.
I nodded, tears slipping free again.
“We’re all okay, but… I keep seeing Mark’s body. The blood. Jimmy screaming. It’s all just… too much.”
He lifted his good hand and brushed my tears away with his thumb.
“You did what you had to do,” he said quietly. “You protected our girl. You protected yourself. And you scared the shit out of Keenan with a phone call.”
I laughed, though there was barely any real mirth in it.
He tugged me closer until I was curled against his good side, my head on his shoulder.
“Rest here,” he murmured. “I’ve got you.”
I closed my eyes, breathing him in.
“I love you,” I whispered.
“Love you more, princess.”
His hand settled over my bump—warm, protective.
And for the first time in days, the world felt… still.
But of course, I’d kept the most important part of my plan to myself.
Because he would never approve.
And for all of this to end… it had to be done.
There was always a price to be paid.